Afghanistan

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with the Government of the United States about Bagram prison in Afghanistan, following the decision of the Court of Appeal requiring the release of Mr Yunus Rahmatallah, a British citizen.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have requested that the United States Government release Mr Rahmatallah. Contacts are ongoing, but the US has not yet informed us of a final decision. The Government are appealing the Court of Appeal's decision.

Afghanistan

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the mining symposium they held on 30 June 2011, what plans they have to (1) ensure that the Government and people of Afghanistan benefit from the country's mineral resources, and (2) ensure that those resources do not contribute to conflict, corruption and human rights violations in Afghanistan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The conclusions of the International Conference on Afghanistan held in Bonn on 5 December 2011 emphasised the need for a regulatory framework to guarantee that Afghanistan's mineral wealth directly benefits the Afghan people. The UK is providing support to the Ministry of Mines to ensure that it is able to develop a transparent and accountable tender process so that there is a mechanism for awarding contracts and access to mineral resources that helps enable the exploitation of the mineral sector so that it does not lead to future conflicts, corruption or the violation of human rights.

Afghanistan

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that as British forces withdraw from Afghanistan, efforts to exploit the mineral sector do not lead to future conflicts.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is providing support to the Ministry of Mines to ensure that it is able to develop a transparent and accountable tender process so that there is a mechanism for awarding contracts and access to mineral resources that helps enable the exploitation of the mineral sector so that it does not lead to future conflicts.

Afghanistan

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the commitments made at the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn to transparency and accountability in the mineral sector are implemented.

Lord Howell of Guildford: At the International Afghanistan Conference held in Bonn, the international community committed itself to support Afghanistan's efforts to develop a transparent and accountable regulatory regime around the mineral sector. We are providing support to the Ministry of Mines to become compliant with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which promotes a global standard for transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.

Commonwealth

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 10 January (WA 14), whether their chief priorities as they develop their policies towards the Commonwealth include the effective protection of human rights by laws interpreted and applied by an independent judiciary.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Commonwealth is a valuable partner to delivering UK human rights policy. We are committed to working with the Commonwealth and its partners to help this organisation reach its full potential and uphold its values of human rights, rule of law, democracy and development. The Commonwealth modernisation agenda, our top priority for 2012, includes reform of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, a Commonwealth charter and developing a role for a Commonwealth commissioner for democracy, rule of law and human rights. This Government believe that this will contribute towards achieving the effective protection of human rights and support the rule of law across the Commonwealth.

Council of Europe: Presidency

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what aims they seek to achieve during their presidency of the Council of Europe.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The overarching theme of our chairmanship will be the promotion and protection of human rights. We will have a particular focus on developing practical measures in the following areas:
	reform of the European Court of Human Rights and strengthening implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights;supporting the secretary-general's programme of reform of the Council of Europe as an organisation;strengthening the rule of law;internet governance, including freedom of expression on the internet;combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity; andstreamlining the Council of Europe's activities in support of local and regional democracy.
	Further details are set out in my Written Statement of 26 October 2011 (Official Report, col. WS39-40).

Denmark

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Denmark regarding its court case against Roj TV and the interests of international freedom of information.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are continuing to monitor the case brought by the Danish authorities against ROJ-TV closely and are in regular contact with the Danish Ministry of Justice although we have not made any representations. The Government continue to work very closely with the Danish Government on all counterterrorism issues while respecting the legal processes of other European Union member states.

Detention

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many persons currently being held in detention without charge in the United Kingdom, pending extradition to other jurisdictions, have been held for more than (1) one year, (2) two years, (3) three years, (4) four years, (5) five years, (6) six years, and (7) seven years; how many of them are wanted by those jurisdictions in relation to terrorism offences; and how many are held in maximum security prisons.

Lord Henley: The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland are the designated UK authorities responsible for processing European arrest warrants (EAWs).
	In relation to requests from EU member states, I understand from SOCA that, as at 13 January 2012, there are currently nine people who have been held in detention for over one year on the basis of an EAW, pending extradition to another jurisdiction. Of these nine, two people are wanted in relation to terrorism offences. SOCA does not hold records on the location of individuals within the prison estate. This is held by NOMS and its counterparts in devolved Administrations. This total figure breaks down as follows:
	eight persons held in extradition detention who have been held for more than one year and less than two years. One of the eight is wanted in relation to terrorism offences; andone person held in extradition detention who has been held for more than two years and less than three years. This person is wanted in relation to terrorism offences.
	The Home Office is responsible for processing requests from non-EU member states for the UK, excluding Scotland.
	According to Home Office records, as at 13 January 2012, there are 19 people who have been held in detention for over one year pending extradition to another jurisdiction. Of these 19, seven are wanted in relation to terrorism offences, and nine are held in maximum security detention. This total figure breaks down as follows:
	seven people held in extradition detention for between one and two years. Of these seven, one is wanted in relation to terrorism offences; and this person is in a maximum security prison;three people held in extradition detention for between two and three years. Of these three, one is in a maximum security prison;none currently held in extradition detention for between three and four years;two people held in extradition detention for between four and five years. Of these two, one is held in a maximum security prison; and in that case, extradition has been stayed pending consideration by the European Court of Human Rights;none currently held in extradition detention for between five and six years;two people held in extradition detention for between six and seven years. Both are wanted in relation to terrorism offences. One is held in a maximum security prison and one in a maximum security prison hospital. In both cases, extradition has been stayed pending consideration by the European Court of Human Rights; andfive people held in extradition detention for more than seven years; in two of these cases extradition proceedings were adjourned while the person concerned was tried and convicted for a UK offence. In each of the five cases, extradition has been stayed pending consideration by the European Court of Human Rights. Four are wanted in relation to terrorism offences and all four are held in maximum security prisons.
	This sets out the position in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland deals with its own extradition requests.

Developing Countries: Taxation

The Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations and the World Bank to the G20 on supporting the development of more effective tax systems in developing countries; and whether they intend to commit multilaterally and unilaterally to the recommendations.

Baroness Northover: A paper was produced by the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations and the World Bank for the G20 Development Working Group (DWG). It sets out issues relevant to work on domestic revenue mobilisation and was an important contribution to the discussions in the DWG that gave rise to the relevant section of the DWG 2011 report (paragraphs 28-38).
	Discussions are continuing between Mexico, as incoming president of the G20, and other G20 countries on the work plan for the development working group in the coming year. The UK Government recognise the importance of developing countries being able to generate their own tax revenues, both for provision of services and to encourage accountability of a government to their citizens.

Education: Literacy

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 20 December (WA 343), what is their assessment of the substantial up-shift from level 1 to level 2 literacy of 16 to 65 year-olds.

Baroness Wilcox: The Government welcome the substantial up-shift from level 1 to level 2 literacy of 16 to 65 year-olds (57 per cent with literacy at level 2 or above in 2011 compared to 44 per cent in 2003). In New Challenges, New Chances1, published on 1 December 2011, the Government highlighted that despite this improvement there are 15 per cent of adults who lack functional literacy skills, and 24 per cent who lack functional numeracy skills. Following their review of adult literacy and numeracy provision the Government are taking a number of actions to improve the economic and personal returns to their investment in literacy and numeracy provision.
	1 BIS (1/12/11) New Challenges, New Chances: Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System, available online at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/f/11-l380-further-education-skills-system-reform-plan.pdf.

Energy: Biofuels

Lord Teverson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about bioliquids and the renewable heat incentive.

Lord Marland: My officials have had general discussions with their counterparts at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern Ireland about the renewable heat incentive but there have been no discussions specifically about bioliquids.

Energy: Biofuels

Lord Teverson: To ask Her Majesty's Government why there has been a delay regarding a decision on the inclusion of bioliquids in the renewable heat incentive.

Lord Marland: As stated in the renewable heat incentive policy document (published in March), we are considering whether to support bioliquids as part of developing the second phase of the scheme. In the light of the later than expected launch of phase one of the renewable heat incentive and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of phase two and will confirm the timetable early in 2012.

Export and Re-export Control

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in each of the past five years for which information is available, how many files about (1) exports, and (2) re-exports, were sent from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to the National Archives; how many were made available for public inspection immediately; and how many remained closed for a period of (a) 30 years, (b) 70 years, and (c) 100 years.

Baroness Wilcox: The number of export files sent to the National Archive in the past five years were as follows:
	No files on this subject were transferred during the periods 2007, 2008, 2009. Seven files on export issues were transferred in 2010 and are available for public inspection.
	One file on export issues was transferred in 2011 and is available for public inspection.
	All of the files related to (1) exports. No files related to (2) re-exports.
	The number of files on this subject that remain closed are as follows:
	30 years-3 files;
	70 years-no files; and
	100 years-no files.

Export and Re-export Control

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what definition they currently use of (1) exports and re-exports, and (2) imports and re-imports; and what changes are planned during the next two years.

Baroness Wilcox: There are controls on the import and export of a wide range of goods. There is no general definition of export, re-export, import or re-import which applies to all of these controls and it is therefore necessary to consider what these terms mean by reference to, and in the context of the specific legislation regulating or establishing such controls.
	In relation to strategic export controls, the main definitions we rely upon can be found in Article 2(1) of the Export Control Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/323 1) which defines "exportation" in relation to military goods and other items subject to national controls; and Article 2(2) of the Dual-Use Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) 428/2009) which defines the term "export" in relation to dual-use items.

Export and Re-export Control

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance is currently issued to companies about (1) exports and re-export of goods, and (2) imports and re-imports; whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of any such guidance; and what changes are planned to this guidance in the next two years.

Baroness Wilcox: Comprehensive information and guidance from the Government pertaining to international trade is located under the international trade theme of the Business Link website: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ bdotg/action/layer?r.s=tl&topicId=1079717544. The guidance is kept under review and updated as necessary.

Eyyup Doru

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the decision of the Spanish courts in 2009, and requests from German citizens, they will make representations to the Government of Germany for the release of Mr Eyyup Doru, the European Representative of the Peace and Democracy Party of Turkey who was arrested in Munich on 15 December.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government do not plan to make representations to the Government of Germany regarding the release of My Eyyup Doru. This is a legal matter involving the Governments of Germany and Turkey.

Finance: Payday Loans

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent meetings they have had with payday loan companies.

Baroness Wilcox: The Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal affairs, Edward Davey, who has responsibility for this policy area, has had no recent meetings with payday loan companies.
	Edward Davey has recently written to representatives of this industry to stress the importance of the ongoing work to strengthen consumer protections in existing and future codes of practice and to highlight those areas of concern that the Government believe need to be addressed. As part of this work, officials in the Department for Business have held a series of recent meetings with payday loan companies and industry representatives.
	Officials have also met with representatives of the payday loan industry as part of the research project to identify the impact of introducing a cap on the total cost of credit that can be charged in the short to medium term high cost credit market.

Firearms

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what reports they have received on the number of (1) males, and (2) females, broken down by (a) age group, and (b) country, who were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured, and (iii) slightly injured, by firearms identified as re-exported in each of the past three years; and whether information is collected on these rates.

Baroness Wilcox: The Government have received no such reports and do not collect this information.

Gaza

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking bilaterally and multilaterally regarding access through the "buffer zone" imposed by the Government of Israel around the perimeter of Gaza.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The current situation in Gaza fosters radicalisation and empowers Hamas, while punishing the ordinary people of Gaza. We are clear that an improved Gazan economy is not only essential for the people of Gaza, but firmly in Israel's security interests.
	We frequently raise with the Israeli authorities the issue of easing restrictions on Gaza, urging Israel to comply with her international obligations. This was most recently raised at ministerial level during the visit to the UK by Israeli Defence Minister Barak on 3 November 2011. The UK continues to push Israel to ease restrictions on exports, construction material imports and movement of people to improve the lives of the Gazan people. We are working alongside our European Union partners to achieve real changes on the ground.

Government Departments: Staff

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many press officers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills currently have responsibility for (1) exports, and (2) export controls; at what grade each press officer works; and how this compares with each month since May 2010.

Baroness Wilcox: In the Department for Business, Innovation and skills one press officer at IO (HEO) grade has direct responsibility for (1) export policy and (2) export controls. This press officer is supported by one senior press officer (SEO) and one chief press officer (G7) as required. This has not changed since May 2010.
	UK Trade and Investment is the government department that is primarily responsible for promoting trade and investment and provides press support on activity related to UK exports and inward investment.

Government: Ministerial Responsibilities

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government which Minister is responsible for overseas stabilisation activities.

Baroness Northover: Stabilisation activities include diplomatic, defence and development tasks which are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary of State for International Development respectively.
	The stabilisation unit reports to all three departments. In a particular crisis one Minister may be appointed to lead the stabilisation response, as the Secretary of State for International Development was during the Libya crisis.

Grant Advisory Service

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Grant Advisory Service, which operates through unsolicited telephone calls to households, and the website energygrantsadvisor.com, have any official role on behalf of the Government or any public agency; whether they have any other formal relationship with these bodies; and whether they have had any meetings or correspondence with them.

Lord Marland: The department has no relationship with these bodies and has not had any meetings or, as far as we are aware, any correspondence with them. They have no official role.

Guantanamo Bay

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have held with the Government of the United States regarding the cases of 89 persons held in Guantanamo Bay who have been cleared for release.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government would like to see the Guantanamo Bay detention facility closed. To that end, we remain committed to securing the release and return of Shaker Aamer, the last former legal UK resident remaining in Guantanamo Bay, and that has been the focus of our engagement with the United States Government on this issue. The UK has previously secured the release and return of 14 former Guantanamo detainees, more than any other European Union country.

Health: Gender Reassignment

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the National Health Service operates a policy according to which people seeking gender reassignment are automatically referred for up to two years of psychiatric assessment, given that transsexualism is not widely considered a mental health issue in the United Kingdom, and in the light of the availability of resources for people with mental health needs.

Earl Howe: Transsexualism is not considered to be a form of mental illness. However, there are mental illnesses which can result in people expressing very similar convictions or desires to those of trans people and it is important that the clinical pathway begins by determining whether the individual's desire to transition is the result of being innately trans, or the result of some other condition which if addressed may result in the desire for transition abating. This preliminary process of eliminating the existence of mental illness in a patient expressing gender issues can be accomplished in the course of one or two local consultations.
	Best practice guidance was published by the National Health Service on the treatment of transsexual people, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

Human Rights

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the human rights available to British citizens in the Republic of Ireland.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government do not have any concerns regarding the human rights of British citizens in the Republic of Ireland. Any British citizen who faces difficulties in Ireland is able to draw on the consular services provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Insolvency

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they propose to table new rules on pre-packaged insolvency sales.

Baroness Wilcox: The Government will make an announcement shortly in relation to this issue.

Insolvency

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations they have had with all stakeholders, including the British Retail Consortium, on their forthcoming proposals on pre-packaged insolvency sales.

Baroness Wilcox: A consultation and call for evidence was issued by the previous Government in March 2010. All stakeholders who responded to that have been informed of the subsequent proposals, which were placed on the Insolvency Service website for comment, and discussions held with the main representative bodies which had expressed views. No specific discussions have been held with the British Retail Consortium on the proposals. The Government will make an announcement shortly in relation to this issue.

Insolvency

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations they have had with HM Court Service about a possible increase in court activities following changes to the pre-packaged insolvency sales regime.

Baroness Wilcox: The Government have considered the possible impact on HM Court Service of possible additional controls on pre-packaged insolvency sales and this was taken into account in the impact assessment.
	The Government will make an announcement shortly in relation to this issue.

Insolvency

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they considered the research on pre-packaged insolvency sales carried out by Professor Sandra Frisby in drawing up any new draft rules.

Baroness Wilcox: In developing policy on pre-packaged insolvency sales, account was taken of all relevant information, including academic research carried out by Professor Sandra Frisby.
	The Government will make an announcement shortly in relation to this issue.

Iraq: Camp Ashraf

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in securing the safety of members of the People's Mujahedin of Iran and other Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf; and what information they have on recent rocket attacks on the Camp and by whom they were carried out.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK welcomes the Government of Iraq's flexibility over its deadline to close Camp Ashraf, and to engage with United Nations (UN) plans to relocate residents peacefully. The Government of Iraq (GoI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UN, which commits the GoI to ensuring the safety and security of Camp Ashraf residents at Camp Liberty, a former United States base near Baghdad International Airport. The MoU is about voluntary relocation and its implementation is based on all sides acting peacefully and in good faith. We understand that the voluntary relocation of 400 residents from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty has been delayed while the GoI improve facilities at Camp Liberty to international standards.
	We are aware of reports that rockets landed in Camp Ashraf on 25 December 2011, but have no further information on who was responsible.

Israel

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to preventing direct and indirect support for business in East Jerusalem by tour operators based within the European Union; and what bilateral and multilateral discussions they have held regarding such action.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government's position on East Jerusalem is clear. Although we accept de facto Israeli control of West Jerusalem, we consider East Jerusalem to be occupied territory.
	No discussions have been held to date with regards to preventing direct and indirect support for business in East Jerusalem by tour operators based within the European Union.

Israel

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held, both bilaterally and multilaterally, regarding the use of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement to facilitate the export to the European Union of products manufactured in settlements in East Jerusalem; and what action, if any, they are taking to restrict those imports.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have regular discussions with European partners with regards to the issues of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
	The UK is keen to ensure that the terms of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement are not abused and that settlement goods are properly labelled and do not benefit from the preferential trade provisions in the agreement which apply to goods manufactured in, and sourced from, Israel. Member states asked the European Commission to investigate this in 2009. It reported to the Magreb and Maastricht working group on 19 April 2010 that there was no evidence this was occurring. We will continue to monitor and be engaged in this issue.
	While there is no UK ban on settlement goods, in December 2009, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs introduced guidelines, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to label produce more accurately, allowing consumers to make a more fully informed decision concerning the products they buy.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Government of Israel approving construction of 26,837 settlement units across the Occupied Palestinian Territories during 2011, including 1,664 housing units in and around Occupied Jerusalem.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Attempts by Israel to alter the character or demography of East Jerusalem and other areas in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are unacceptable and extremely provocative. Settlements, as well as the evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes in areas under occupation, including in East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law and deeply unhelpful to efforts to bring a lasting peace to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) repeatedly condemned settlements announcements throughout 2011, urging Israel to revoke these decisions.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent representations, both bilaterally and multilaterally, they have made to the Government of Israel about the imprisonment by Israeli authorities of Palestinian children, their treatment while imprisoned, and the use of solitary confinement; and what was the outcome of any such representations.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have welcomed Israel's recent decision to raise the age of legal majority for Palestinian children in the Israeli military justice system. When fully implemented, this will be an important step towards protecting children's rights in the West Bank. We continue to lobby for further improvements, including a reduction in the number of arrests that occur at night. We are in close discussion with the Israeli Government. Our ambassador to Tel Aviv met senior Israeli officials on 6 October to express our appreciation for the steps just taken and to outline our concerns. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) also raised the issue of child detainees with the Israeli ambassador on 26 October.
	In addition to our lobbying of the Israeli authorities, the UK is supporting research into this issue by leading UK and international lawyers. A report is expected to be published in January. We also fund the work of Defence for Children International and No Legal Frontiers on the rights of Palestinian child detainees.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent approaches, both bilaterally and multilaterally, they have made to the Government of Israel about the availability and standard of legal defence services for Palestinian children brought before military courts in Israel, and about arrangements in place to ensure that Palestinian children arrested by the military authorities in Israel are promptly informed of their rights to legal representation; and what was the outcome of any such approaches.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We welcome Israel's recent decision to raise the age of legal majority for Palestinian children in the Israeli military justice system. When fully implemented, this will be an important step towards protecting children's rights in the West Bank.
	We raise our concerns regularly with the Israeli authorities both bilaterally and in conjunction with European Union (EU) partners. We continue to lobby for further improvements, including the introduction of audio-visual recording of interrogations. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) raised our concerns with Israeli Minister of Justice Neeman during his visit to the region in June 2011. Our officials in Israel continue to attend military court hearings as part of an EU rotating team monitoring cases of Palestinians identified as human rights defenders. In addition, we are providing practical assistance. The UK has supported the translation of military orders into Arabic.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to banning direct and indirect trade with Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including financial benefits, investments, and the provision of services including those related to intellectual property; and what bilateral and multilateral discussions they have had regarding such a ban.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK believes that Israeli settlement-building in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is illegal under international law, provocative and deeply counterproductive and that it must stop. We regularly raise our concerns with the Government of Israel, including at the highest level. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), made the UK's position clear to Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories 8-10 January.
	We have regular discussions with European partners on the issue of Israeli settlements.
	While there is no UK ban on settlement goods, in December 2009, the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs introduced guidelines, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to label produce more accurately, allowing consumers to make a more fully informed decision concerning the products they buy.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance is being issued to European Union retailers on origin labelling for products manufactured in settlements in East Jerusalem and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is keen to ensure that the terms of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement are not abused and that settlement goods are properly labelled and do not benefit from the preferential trade provisions in the association agreement entitled to goods manufactured in, and sourced from Israel. Member states asked the European Commission to investigate this in 2009. It reported to the Maghreb and Maastricht working group on 19 April 2010 that there was no evidence this was occurring. We will continue to monitor and be engaged in this issue.
	While there is no UK ban on settlement goods, in December 2009, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs introduced guidelines, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to label produce more accurately, allowing consumers to make a more fully informed decision concerning the products they buy.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are making to enable trade in goods originating in settlements in East Jerusalem and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to be kept under continuing bilateral and multilateral review.

Lord Howell of Guildford: I refer the noble Lord to the responses I gave to PQs HL14665, HL14666, HL14667 and HL14668.

Israel and Palestine: West Bank

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel concerning alleged house-breaking and abduction, deportation and administrative detention of members of parliament and their families in the West Bank by that Government.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK, along with our European Union partners, regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli Government about the application of due process and the treatment of Palestinian detainees. It is important that Israel is rigorous in ensuring correct procedures and due process are followed and the rights of detainees are upheld. All Palestinian prisoners should have access to a fair trial, and Israel should ensure that it always acts in accordance with international law. We both encourage and expect Israel to adhere to its obligations both as a member of the international community and as a democratic state.

Israel and Palestine: West Bank

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Israel about the alleged forced movement of West Bank Bedouin; and what was the outcome.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have made a number of representations to the Israeli Government about their plan for relocation of approximately 30,000 Bedouin in the Negev through our embassy in Tel Aviv and we are in regular contact with Bedouin leaders and activists.
	The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), raised our concerns with Israeli Minister Benny Begin during his visit to the region earlier this month. Extensive consultations with the Bedouin community are currently underway and it is clear that decisions are not yet imminent. Mr Burt underlined the need for continued dialogue between the Israeli Government and Bedouin representatives to achieve an agreed and satisfactory solution to the long-standing issue of unrecognised Bedouin villages.

Kenya

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Kenya about the timing of their intention to capture the Somali port city of Kismayo.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government continue to discuss with the Government of Kenya their military intentions in Somalia, but operational questions are for the Government of Kenya to address.

Kuwait

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make representations to the Government of Kuwait on constitutional and youth issues following the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Kuwait's entrenched democracy, with a parliament elected by universal suffrage in free and fair elections, has ensured its continued stability. The National Assembly regularly debates constitutional and youth issues and there is a dedicated parliamentary committee for youth and sports.
	Neither the constitution nor youth issues have been key topics in the run-up to the parliamentary elections on 2 February. The Government do not plan to make specific representations to the Kuwaiti authorities on these issues. However, we continue to engage with the Kuwaitis, at the highest level, to ensure that the electoral process is conducted fairly and transparently.

Labour Productivity

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for declining labour productivity in terms of both output per employee and output per hour worked; and what action will they take to reverse these trends.

Baroness Wilcox: Whole economy labour productivity, defined in terms of both output per worker and output per hour worked, fell during the 2008 recession, as employment fell by less than output. Both measures of labour productivity picked up again in 2009, eased off again in 2010, but have picked up again recently.
	The decline in labour productivity we saw during the last recession and towards the end of 2010, appears to have been primarily due to labour retention, particularly skilled workers, supported by more accommodating wage settlements, rather than a decline in productive capability, per se.
	As noted in the response to your earlier question on market sector labour productivity, the Government have a detailed plan for growth rather than productivity per se.

National Security

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether British national security would be prejudiced by leaving the European Union.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not made an assessment of whether British national security would be prejudiced by leaving the European Union.

Overseas Aid

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the conditions, if any, concerning (1) human rights, and (2) the treatment of the environment to which countries have to agree in order to receive overseas development funding.

Baroness Northover: A commitment to human rights is a key condition for overseas development funding to governments, but not to countries. It is one of four partnership principles against which governments are assessed when the Department for International Development (DfID) considers whether to give aid to them. If we are not satisfied that a government shares our commitment to human rights, we do not use conditions to try to impose this commitment on them. Instead, we may choose to support poverty reduction by working with partners other than government, such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations, in ways that seek to build a government's commitment.
	DfID does not impose specific environment conditions on its overseas development aid. However, all funding is supported by a business case which assesses impact on climate change as well as environmental risks and opportunities. Where risks are significant, we make sure that mechanisms are in place (by either ourselves or others) to mitigate those-for instance through a parallel activity in support of national climate change or environmental systems. We also make sure that where risks are significant, systems are in place to keep track of them during project implementation.
	There have been cases where DfID has scaled down and stopped specific projects where they were felt to have had minimal impact on desired outcomes-for example with forestry projects in Cambodia and Indonesia.

Overseas Stability

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the review of the Stabilisation Unit, due to take place early in 2012, will link to efforts to ensure that the United Kingdom has adequate capability regarding security and development issues overseas.

Baroness Northover: A review of the Stabilisation Unit has been agreed by the tri-departmental Building Stability Overseas Board.
	The purpose of the review is to consider the best arrangements for the UK Government's use of the Stabilisation Unit capability both after conflicts and in conflict prevention work.
	The review will take account of existing strategies, including the National Security Strategy, the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Building Stability Overseas Strategy and the Defence Engagement Strategy.

Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to ensure that international humanitarian law is upheld in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), in the light of the report by the Palestine Liberation Organisation that 180 Palestinians, including 21 children, were killed in the OPT in 2011.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have called on all parties to respect their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and for Israel to respect its obligations as the occupying power.
	Our officials in Israel regularly raise human rights issues with the Israeli authorities and our officials in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) closely monitor the humanitarian situation on the ground.
	Most recently, our officials have observed the way protests are policed in the OPTs and regularly go to the checkpoints to monitor movement and access restrictions on Palestinians.

Parliament Square

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to clear Parliament Square under the provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 which came into force on 19 December 2011.

Lord Henley: The provisions in the Act designed to deal with the disruption caused by encampments in Parliament Square were commenced on 19 December 2011, and the Metropolitan Police Service enforced these on 16 January 2012. All tents were removed apart from those belonging to one protestor, due to a High Court injunction that is in place pending a judicial review hearing.

People Trafficking

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are assessing the effectiveness of measures designed to prevent human trafficking in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Lord Henley: The Government's approach to preventing human trafficking is set out in the human trafficking strategy, published in July 2011.
	Progress on implementation of the strategy is overseen by the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking, chaired by the Minister of State for Immigration.

Plastic Bags

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made since the General Election on reducing the use of plastic bags and other kinds of single-use bags (a) in supermarkets, and (b) as a whole; what relevant policy changes have taken place in that time; and what action they plan to take in the coming year.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Government want to see a continuing decline in the numbers of single use carrier bags handed out by retailers. The Government Review of Waste Policy in England made clear that the Government would decide whether and what action might be needed in the light of further evidence. Defra is currently looking at the full range of options, including legislation.

Prisoners: Females

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many female prisoners, who are not British citizens, are currently in prison in England; and what is that figure as a percentage of all prisoners.

Lord McNally: As at 30 September 2011 there were 650 female foreign national prisoners in prison establishments in England. The figure represents 0.8 per cent of the total prison population, 81,139, in prison establishments in England.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Railways: Chorley Flying Arches

Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to Network Rail about when the historical flying arches will be returned to their original position over the Network Rail tracks in Chorley.

Earl Attlee: The permanent repositioning of the Chorley flying arches over the Manchester-Preston railway line is an operational matter for Network Rail.

Railways: High Speed 1

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what works are needed to enable the rail link between High Speed 1 and the North London Line to be operational; when they will be complete; whether they will be funded by the Government; and if so, under what budget they will be funded.

Earl Attlee: A direct connection already exists between High Speed 1 (HS1) and the North London Line. This connection will be used by international High Speed 2 (HS2) services running on to HS1. The necessary enhancements to facilitate HS2 services over the existing North London Line/HS1 link will be undertaken as part of the HS2 project, with construction commencing in 2017 and completing in 2025. The costs of these enhancements have been included in the HS2 business case, and it is currently assumed that they will be funded by the Government.

Railways: High Speed 2

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they propose only to legislate for the first part of High Speed 2.

Earl Attlee: As set out in the Command Paper, the Government are committed to delivering the Y-shaped high speed rail network from London to Leeds and Manchester via Birmingham. The Government plan to legislate for the complete network via two hybrid Bills. The first Bill will secure the powers to construct and operate phase 1 of the network from London to the West Midlands, and this will be introduced by the end of 2013. The second Bill will secure the powers for phase 2 of the network to Leeds and Manchester, and the intention is to introduce this Bill in the next Parliament. The Government are taking this phased approach as the best way to ensure that the benefits of high speed rail are realised at the earliest opportunity.

Railways: Network Rail

Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what oversight and governance role the chairman of Network Rail has with regard to responding to communications from Parliamentarians.

Earl Attlee: As a private sector company, policy in respect of Network Rail's replies to communications from parliamentarians is a matter for the company itself to determine.

Railways: Southern Rail

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the £80 million of Government support to the Southern Rail franchise will be used.

Earl Attlee: The Government are providing support, under the terms of the franchise agreement between Southern and the Secretary of State for Transport, to enable Southern to go ahead with the procurement of 130 new carriages from Derby train-builder Bombardier.
	This is part of the coalition Government's High Level Output Specification (H LOS) initiative, which is progressively introducing more capacity onto some of the most overcrowded parts of the rail network.
	The Department for Transport is adjusting the franchise payment profile to reflect that Southern has made a payment to Bombardier as well as operational costs associated with the introduction of those carriages.

Re-Export Controls Bill [HL]

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 1 November (WA 251), whether they will permit the Re-Export Controls Bill [HL] to be referred to a second reading committee in the House of Commons, on the same basis as the Raoul Wallenberg (Memorial) Bill.

Baroness Wilcox: As I stated in my replies of 26 April and 6 June, I regret that the Government are unable to support the Re-export Controls Bill during its Commons stage, and the Motion to refer the Bill to a Second Reading Committee was not supported on that basis.

Royal College of Gerontology

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any proposals to establish a Royal College of Gerontology.

Earl Howe: The department is not aware of any proposals to establish a Royal College of Gerontology.

Second World War: Pardons

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Government of Ireland to pardon the citizens of Ireland who were court marshalled for fighting on the side of the United Kingdom in the Second World War and compensate them and their families.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have no plans to make representations on this matter at this time. The matter of pardons for Irish citizens who fought on the side of the United Kingdom in the Second World War is a matter for the Irish Government and one to which the Irish Minister for Defence recently stated in the Dail that he was "giving active consideration". The Government are grateful for the contribution made by Irish service personnel during the Second World War. During the state visit in May, Her Majesty the Queen and President McAleese laid wreaths together at the Irish War Memorial Gardens in memory of the Irish soldiers who died in the world wars.

Serbia

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to resettle refugees and internally displaced people currently in temporary or unsatisfactory conditions in Serbia.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to resettle refugees and internally displaced people currently in temporary or unsatisfactory conditions in Serbia and across the Balkans. Since 2006 the FCO, working in close collaboration with UNHCR, has committed nearly £3 million towards supporting the return from Serbia and Montenegro to Kosovo of displaced persons and refugees. These funds have contributed to the provision of returns and reintegration packages, helping with housing, food, furniture and healthcare.

Smoking

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the success of health warnings on cigarette packets.

Earl Howe: The Public Health Research Consortium (PHRC) undertook an evaluation of the impact of picture health warnings in the United Kingdom in spring 2009. A summary of the outcomes of this evaluation is available on the PHRC's website at: http://phrc.Ishtm.ac.uk/papers/PHRC_A6-08_Exec_ Summary.pdf.
	The UK is a party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC can be found at: http://whglibdoc.who.int/publications/2003/9241591013.pdf).
	Article 11 of the FCTC concerns the packaging and labelling of tobacco products, and includes obligations on parties to adopt and implement effective measures to ensure that tobacco products carry health warnings describing the harmful effects of tobacco use, as well as other appropriate messages.
	In addition to text warnings, from 2008, picture health warnings have been required on tobacco products for sale in the UK, with requirements set out in the Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale)(Safety) (Amendment) Regulations. Guidelines for the implementation of Article 11 of the FCTC, agreed by consensus of the parties to the FCTC, suggest that evidence shows that, when compared with text-only health warnings and messages, those with pictures are: more likely to be noticed; are rated more effective by tobacco users; are more likely to remain salient over time; better communicate the health risks of tobacco use; provoke more thought about the health risks of tobacco use and about cessation; increase motivation and intention to quit; and are associated with more attempts to quit. Pictorial health warnings and messages may also disrupt the impact of brand imagery on packaging and decrease the overall attractiveness of the package. The FCT Article 11 guidelines can be found at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241501316_eng.pdf.

Syria

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 20 July (WA 342), whether they have now been able to verify information concerning the whereabouts and welfare of Ms Hassan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Officials in our embassy in Damascus have established from their contacts that Ms Hassan remains free and is currently in Lebanon.

Taiwan

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they provide for Taiwan.

Baroness Northover: The Department for International Development does not provide aid to Taiwan.
	The UK seeks to develop its exports and commercial involvement with Taiwan, including inward investment. We also seek to develop a wide range of unofficial links, particularly in the education and cultural fields.

Transport: Eurotunnel

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) cars, (2) lorries, and (3) coaches, have used (a) ferry, and (b) Eurotunnel shuttle services for each of the past three years.

Earl Attlee: The Government do not have these figures, which relate to private companies.

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Council of Europe to intervene on behalf of the journalists currently held in custody in Turkey.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Council of Europe is monitoring the issue of imprisoned journalists and, along with other international institutions, already regularly raises matters relating to freedom of expression in Turkey. Recent action has included visits to Turkey by both the Council of Europe Special Envoy to Turkey and the Council of Europe Commissioner on Human Rights in 2011. On 15 December 2011 and 11 January 2012 the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held a thematic debate on media freedom which included Turkey.
	We share the concerns expressed by the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Parliament and along with our European Union partners are urging Turkey to address urgently the issue of pre-trial detention of journalists. Our embassy will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Turkey

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks of the leader of Turkey's main opposition party, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, comparing conditions in Silivri Prison to a concentration camp after visiting two of his members of parliament imprisoned there.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not made an assessment of the remarks attributed to Kemal Kilicdaroglu, comparing conditions in Silivri Prison to a concentration camp.
	The European Union (EU) Commission's annual progress report in 2011 highlighted that prison conditions need improving. With our EU partners we encourage Turkey urgently to address this issue. We welcome Turkey's ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture in 2011 and are encouraging implementation.

Turkey

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Turkey concerning the period of more than 1,000 days that the Turkish members of parliament, Mustafa Balbay and Mehmet Haberal, have been held in pre-trial detention.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not made specific representations to the Government of Turkey concerning the period of time Mustafa Balbay and Mehmet Haberal have been held in pre-trial detention, but we expect high legal and judicial standards to be consistently observed, and expect Turkey to comply fully with its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
	Along with our European Union partners, we encourage Turkey to address urgently the pre-trial detention of journalists and others and to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the process of constitutional reform to address broader human rights issues. Our embassy in Ankara will continue to monitor the situation closely. We are encouraged to note the statement by Turkish Justice Minister, Sadullah Ergin, on 11 January, that his Government are currently drafting legislation to address the length of pre-trial detention. We look forward to rapid progress.

Turkey

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made or intend to make to the Government of Turkey concerning the bombing of a Kurdish village on 28 December 2011 by Turkish Air Force aeroplanes.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not made any representations to the Government of Turkey about this incident, which tragically resulted in the death of 35 civilians, and do not plan to make any. The Turkish Government have launched an immediate official inquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.
	While we support Turkey's efforts to tackle terrorism, we have called on it to take all possible measures to avoid the potential for harm to civilians.

UK Border Agency: Staff

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 13 December 2011 (WA 257-8), whether they will set up an independent review of the integrity of the staff of the UK Border Agency.

Lord Henley: There are no plans to set up an independent review of the integrity of the staff of the UK Border Agency. All allegations of inappropriate behaviour are subject to scrutiny and investigations commissioned as appropriate. In addition, the UK Border Agency has a wide range of measures in place to prevent and to detect integrity issues and to sanction those whose actions are inappropriate. Examples of this include pre-employment checks, security vetting, management and system controls, audits and assurances of systems and procedures and the use of sophisticated data mining technology.

UK Trade and Investment

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to United Kingdom retailers on the implications of direct and indirect trade with Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and East Jerusalem.

Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint: While there is no ban on importing Israeli settlement goods into the UK, the Government do believe consumers should be able to choose for themselves what produce they buy. In December 2009, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs introduced voluntary guidelines in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to label produce more accurately, allowing consumers to make a more fully informed decision concerning the products they buy. The guidelines state that if traders and retailers wish to indicate whether food originates from an Israeli settlement or from Palestinian producers, they could, for example, label it "produce of the West Bank (Israeli settlement produce)" or "produce of the West Bank (Palestinian produce)" as appropriate. This was not in support of a boycott, but to provide clarity over the precise origin of products.

Zimbabwe

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they have offered United Kingdom companies subject to Zimbabwe's indigenisation law; and whether their policy is shared by other countries.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Our ambassador in Harare is in close contact with the British business community in Zimbabwe and regularly discusses the implementation of Zimbabwe's indigenisation law. We have made it clear to senior ZANU-PF politicians that, while economic empowerment is important, the way in which indigenisation is now being implemented will deter much-needed foreign investment and damage Zimbabwe's economy. Many in the international community, Zimbabwean Government and business community share our concern.